Sir, - Dealing with the problem of horses in urban areas merely with a strategy of snatching and destroying them would have disastrous social consequences in the communities most affected. Urban horses are owned mainly by working class kids in areas hard hit by long term unemployment and a severe lack of recreational facilities. For most of them it is a passionate hobby and one that has many social benefits. A crude policy of repression only will leave these young people bitter, resentful and alienated.
In these communities heroin addiction among young people is a nightmare for them, their families and the community at large. Many parents of teenagers in these areas are delighted that their children take a passionate interest in horses, which keeps them away from the destruction of drug addiction and involvement in other anti social activities.
Everyone agrees that horses have to be taken off the streets and public open spaces in the interests of safety of children, adults and the animals themselves. Everyone also agrees that horses must be treated with the utmost humanity, and cruelty, whether deliberate or unintended, must be eliminated. This can be achieved, however, in a way that would preserve, and indeed increase, the social benefit of providing young people in deprived communities with a constructive outlet for their time and energy.
The following provisions would lay a basis for a fair resolution of existing problems; 1. Horse lovers clubs to be set up in all communities concerned, with horse owners obliged to be members; 2. Resources to be provided by a combination of public and community based funding to provide land, shelter, fodder and veterinary care; 3. Mandatory education for all club members in all aspects of horse care; 4. With these structures in place any breach of public safety or any display of cruelty could be severely dealt with - with the full support of the community.
Local authorities and other state agencies should be obliged to be active facilitators in providing these resources in the same way as football and other sports are facilitated. It is only a few years since the State granted £600,000 to the K Club as golf playground for the super wealthy. Most taxpayers and no working class children will have benefitted. These proposals would facilitate thousands and provide immense social benefits. - Yours, etc.,
Joe Higgins TD,
Member of Fingal Co. Co., Dail Eireann, Baile Atha Cliath 2.